Organisation: DYVÓ (DYVÓLAB: Creative Common Space & Fablab)
Location: Kosovo (desk research and fieldwork across seven regions)
Contract Type: Short-term consultancy services (individual or firm)
Duration: November 2025 - February 2026

About DYVÓLAB: CCS & FABLAB

DYVÓLAB is Kosovo’s first Fab Lab–accredited creative community space, a hub where design, technology, and community come together to build a circular and inclusive future. We collaborate with youth, municipalities, academia, and creative industries to prototype sustainable solutions, influence public policy, and scale Creative Common Spaces (CCS) as drivers of social, cultural, and environmental innovation.

As part of our ongoing initiative to strengthen the national ecosystem of creative and community-driven spaces, DYVÓ will conduct a Baseline Analysis on CCS in Kosovo to better understand the current landscape, identify gaps, and propose actionable strategies for replication and policy integration.

Purpose of the Assignment & the Scope of Work

DYVÓ is seeking one external expert to lead the Baseline Analysis, working closely with the team to co-facilitate stakeholder consultations. The selected expert will assess the state of CCS across seven regions of Kosovo, mapping existing conditions, challenges, and opportunities while providing a clear evidence base to inform local and national decision-making. The study will contribute to shaping municipal and policy frameworks that enable inclusive, sustainable, and participatory community spaces.

The assignment will combine desk research, fieldwork, and stakeholder engagement. The expert will conduct a review of existing legislation and policy frameworks relevant to creative industries, urban development, spatial planning, and innovation, identifying barriers and potential policy levers for integrating CCS into local development agendas.

A core part of the work involves assessing the current skills landscape connected to creative industries and digital fabrication, as well as evaluating gender participation and access in these sectors. The analysis should include both quantitative and qualitative findings, offering targeted recommendations to improve inclusion, equity, and capacity-building opportunities for women, youth, and underrepresented groups.

The expert will also define region-specific objectives for CCS development, identifying public spaces and infrastructures that could serve as pilot sites for future Creative Common Spaces. This will involve collaboration with municipal representatives, NGOs, academia, and creative professionals.

Additionally, the expert will co-design and facilitate a series of seven regional focus group discussions (one in each region), engaging key stakeholders such as municipal departments of spatial planning and culture, community activists, educators, and private sector representatives. These consultations will validate findings, gather local insights, and co-create practical recommendations.

The assignment concludes with the preparation of a comprehensive baseline report summarizing methodology, findings, and policy recommendations, complemented by a concise summary of focus group discussions and a presentation deck for dissemination among partners and municipalities.

Deliverables

The consultant will deliver:

• A Baseline Analysis Report including detailed findings, gender and skills analysis, site identification, and actionable policy recommendations.
  
  

• A Summary of Stakeholder Consultations (focus group results, quotes, photos, and attendance data).
  
  

• A Presentation Deck summarizing key insights and recommendations.
  
  

• An Annex of Data and Tools, including interview/focus group templates, anonymised notes, and references.

All deliverables must be in English, with a summary in Albanian considered an asset. The indicative workload includes inception and methodology design, desk research, fieldwork, data analysis, and reporting. Field visits will cover seven regions of Kosovo, coordinated with DYVÓ’s program team. Travel costs and per diems will be reimbursed as per contract.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should preferably hold an advanced degree in Urban Development, Cultural Policy, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a related discipline, and demonstrate at least five years of experience conducting research, diagnostics, or policy analysis in Kosovo or the wider Western Balkans. However, applicants who do not hold a degree in these fields will not be excluded, provided they can demonstrate substantial professional experience and a proven track record in research, analysis, and evidence-based policy work. Strong knowledge of local governance and cultural policy is essential, and community-led innovation processes are an added value, as is experience facilitating focus groups and working with municipal actors or community organisations.

The role requires excellent analytical and writing skills in English, while working proficiency in Albanian and/or Serbian will be considered a strong advantage. Familiarity with gender-responsive analysis, youth and skills development, and circular or creative economy initiatives is highly desirable.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on methodological clarity and feasibility, relevance of previous experience, demonstrated capacity and availability, gender and inclusion approach, and financial competitiveness.

DYVÓ expects full adherence to ethical research standards, including data protection, informed consent, and safe participation practices. The consultant must comply with GDPR-aligned protocols and ensure inclusive engagement of women, youth, and marginalized communities throughout the process.

Application Procedure

This consultancy offers the opportunity to influence policy and shape the creative ecosystem in Kosovo through evidence-based analysis and local engagement. The selected expert will collaborate directly with municipalities and DYVÓLAB’s network of innovators and designers, contributing to circular and creative transformation.

Interested candidates should submit the following documents in English to collab@dyvolab.com with the subject line “Application – Baseline Analysis Expert (CCS)” by 25 October 2025, 23:59 CET.

• CV highlighting relevant experience.
  
  

• Motivation letter (1 page) explaining suitability and earliest availability.
  
  

• Short technical note (2–3 pages) outlining proposed methodology, work plan, and timeline.

If applying as a team or firm, please also include a short team matrix outlining roles, level of effort, and one relevant writing sample (max. 5 pages).

DYVÓ is an equal-opportunity organization that values diversity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, and members of underrepresented groups.